Chrysolina graminis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Taxonomy: Polyphaga > Chrysomeloidea > Chrysomelidae > Chrysolina > Chrysolina graminis

Common name: 

Tansy Leaf Beetle

Images

Chrysolina graminis
Source:
Roger Key
Chrysolina graminis
Source:
Duncan Sivell
Chrysolina graminis
Source:
Duncan Sivell
Chrysolina graminis
Source:
Duncan Sivell

Description

Size: 7.7-10.5mm
Basic colour: Metallic bright green
Pattern colour: Suture metallic blue or blue-green and darker than the elytra.
Number of spots: None
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: As basic colour
Confusion species: Chrysolina herbacea

Biology

Status: Scarce (Notable A), though could more accurately be considered RDB2 (Vulnerable). Also a UKBAP species.
Habitat: Fens, banks of rivers with wide floodplains
Host plant: Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)
Overwintering: Unknown, although some individuals undergo an extended diapause of more than a year.
Food: Leaves of host plants.
Other notes: Very similar to C. herbacea, but suture metallic blue or blue-green and darker than the elytra.

Distribution (may take a minute to appear)